Apparatus for forming twisted wire structures



Aug. 2, 1949. F. A. FRENCH APARATUS FOR FORMING TWISTED WIRE STRUCTURESFiled Jan. 22, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mw mq Q @q Q m. wx! l l A 85N. NN..mw n

JNVENTOR.

ATTQRNEY Aug- 2, 1949. F. A. FRENCH 2,477,690

APPARATUS FOR FRMING TWISTED WIRE STRUCTURES Filed Jan. 22, 1947 2Sheets-Sheet 2 [wc-3.3.N f2

,f 25 j i ji I4 'l' JNVENTOR.

FREZBJyf-R/ CK A @EA/GH atented tig E@ it APPARATUS )FR FRWNG TWISTE@WERE STRTJC'EUJR Application .lanuary 22, i947, Se No. 723,486

(Gli. 57-59) (Claims.

rllhis invention relates to apparatus for formlng an elongated twistedstructure, such as wire strand or cable, from a plurality of individualwires, strandslaments or the like. More particularly, the invention isconcerned with apparatus for imparting a controlled and uniform amountof twist, in either direction, to the individual wires or filamentsbefore they are twisted together or laid into the form of the nishedstructure.

In the manufacture of wire strand, wire cable or the like, it isfrequently important to impart a certain amount of twist to theindividual Wires or strands as they are fed to a closing or forming dieof a stranding or cabling machine. The Inachine described herein iscapable of adjustment either to apply no twist to the individual wiresor strands or to apply a controlled amount of twist to the individualwires or strands in either direction from neutral and at any desiredratio with the main machine rotor. In this manner the qualities such asthe crankiness of the finished product can be controlled and, ingeneral, an improved nal product obtained. Complicated machines havebeen tried for this purpose, but generally speaking have not beenparticularly successful due to their complexity and the slow speeds atwhich they have to be operated. Furthermore, the more complicated theconstruction of such machine is, the more maintenance is required andthe more frequently break downs occur which interrupt the productionschedule.

One object of my invention is to provide electrical means forcontrolling in a simple and positive manner the amount and direction oftwist imparted to individual wires or laments in such a machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device in which thecontrol means ls connected to the main drive of the machine so that aconstant ratio of wire twist to machine rotation is always obtainedregardless of varying speeds of operation of the machine.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus in whichthe desired ratio of twist of the individual wires to the twist of thefinished product can be selected or adjusted in a simple but effectivemanner while the machine is either standing still or operating.

Other objects will be apparent and will be explained in connection withthe following description of a preferred embodiment of my inventionillustrated in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wirestranding machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the machine taken about on theline 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views through the machinetaken respectively on the lines 3 3, 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The machine illustrated in the drawings as one embodiment of myinvention is a horizontal stranding machine having the usual rotor I0which is provided with a number of circular bands or tracks II thatin-turn are supported and guided for rotation by the rollers I2. RotorI0 may be provided with openings I3 at intervals in its shell for accessto cradles I4 which carry spools or reels I5 of the wire. The cradles I4are preferably mounted in suitable bearings I6 concentric with the axisof rotation of the rotor I0 so that the cradles I4 are free to rotate ineither direction with respect to the rotor I0.

The reels or spools I5, of course, are mounted on shafts or axles I5aextending transversely of the rotor Il) so that the wire can be fed fromeach of the spools to a stationary closing or forming die I1 locatednear one end of the rotor I0. Each individual wire from one of thespools may be fed to the die I1 by passing it through a hollow portionof one of the axles of the cradles I4 and thence over the guide pulleysI8 to a series of guide pulleys I9 located near one end of the rotoradjacent the die I1. The Wire strand 2li issuing from the die I1 ispulled out of the die by means of any suitable pull-out mechanism (notshown), as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The rotor II)may be driven by any suitable means such as an electric motor 2l and thechain 22.

My invention is concerned with the means for imparting to the cradles I4and the spools or reels I5 carried thereby a controlled amount ofrotation relative to the rotation of the rotor Ill. whereby the desiredamount and direction of twist can be imparted to one or more of theindividual wires. For this purpose, I provide a series of synchros orself-synchronous motors 23, one for each of the cradles I4. -Thestationary part or stators of these synchros may be connected directlyto the rotor I0 by the brackets 24, so that these stators rotate withthe rotor I0. The rotary portions of the synchros carried on the shafts25 are connected directly by suitable couplings 2B or other means to theaxles of the cradles I4, so that these axles are rotated directly byrotation of the rotor portions of the synchros.

The motor 2l, which drives the rotor III, is connected by the chain 21to a suitable variable speed drive mechanism 28, which in turn drives asynchronousgeneratcr or master synchro 29. The variable speed drivemechanism 28 may be of any suitable type so that by adjustment of thecontrol 30, the rate and direction of rotation of the generator withrespect to the rate of rotation of the motor 2l can be varied at will.If desired, the variable speed drive 28 may be replaced with a simplechange gear drive which would provide means for presetting the rate anddirection of twist with respect to rotation of the machine rotor.However, in this case, adjustment while the machine -is running wouldnot be possible.

The generator 29 is connected electrically to the individual synchros 23by means of an electrical cable 3| and suitable brushes which bear.

on corresponding slipA rings 33 mounted on the rotor I0. The slip rings33 in turn may be connected to each of the synchros 23 by means of thecable 24. A ve wire cable system for connecting the generator 29 to thesynchros 2J is illustrated in the drawings because these synchrosordinarilyare provided with a three-phase stator connected to the statorof the generator 29 and with a single phase winding in the rotorgenerator or master synchro 29.

It will thus be apparent that the direction and speed of rotation of therotor of the generator or master synchro 29 will determine the directionand speed of rotation of the cradles Il carrying the wire spools I5.Thus, not only can the cradles Il all be rotated simultaneously in thesame direction at the same speed, but they can also be rotated at aspeed which is directly proportional to the speed of the motor 2l andthe rotor I0, the particular proportion depending upon the setting ofthe variable speed drive 28.

As distinguished from the use of planetary gearing and other complicatedmechanisms, the relative rate of rotation of the cradles il can bereadily adjusted quickly and easily by the operator while thestranding-machine is in operation.

A particular feature of my machine is the fact that all gears andmechanical drive parts for obtaining and controlling twist ratios areoutside of and entirely separate from themachine rotor.

Apart from the flexibility and ease of adjustment of my apparatus, oneof its principal advantages is thehigher speed at which it can beoperated due to the concentric placement of the component parts. A lowflywheel effect is inherent in this arrangement. Since the speed ofoperation of such a machine is directly related to the cost ofproduction, it will be apparent that my machine is capable not only ofproducing a more uniform product but also of producing it at a lowercost. In addition, of course, the apparatus is smoother in operation,quieter, and is not as complicated, all of which improve the workingconditions of the operator and means that less maintenance work isinvolved in keeping the machine operating in the proper manner,

Certain variations and modifications of the embodiment of my inventionillustrated in the drawings will be apparent to those skilled in theart. For example, individual synchros 23 have beer described asconnected to each of the reel or spool cradles, whereas it might be thatcertain of the wires would require no twist. In such a case, certainsynchros 23 could be omitted vwhich is likewise connected to the rotorof the and the cradles associated with them could be counterweighted toremain in a neutral position. It might also be desirable to use morethan one master synchro generator and drive, with separate circuits tothe individual synchros or groups of synchros, for obtaining differentratios or directions of rotation on certain cradles, instead of havingall of the cradles rotate in a like manner. For most practical purposes,however, the form of machine illustrated in the drawings is entirelysatisfactory.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but recognizethat'various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary member for feedinga, plurality of wires or the like to a die, a spool therefor mounted insaid member so that it can be revolved about the axis of rotation ofsaid member, means for rotating said member, and electrical meansconnected to said rotating means by a variable speed drive for revolvingsaid spool at a controlled ratio to the speed of rotation of saidmember, said electrical means including a generator driven by saidrotating means and electrically connected to a -motor that revolves saidspool about said axis.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary member for feedinga plurality of wires or the like to a die, a spool therefor mounted insaid member for revolution about an axis extending longitudinally of thewire fed from the spool, y

synchronous motor means for controlling the revolving of said spoolabout said axis, means for rotating said member, an electrical.generator driven by said rotating means and connected electrically tosaid motor means for revolving said spool at a speed proportional to thespeed of rotation of said member.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary member for feedinga plurality of wires or the like to a die, a spool therefor mounted insaid member for revolving about an axis extending longitudinally of themember, synchronous motor means for controlling the rotation of saidspool about said axis, means for rotating said member, an electricalgenerator driven through a variable speed drive mechanism by saidrotating means, said generator being connected electrically to saidsynchronous motor means to revolve said spool in accordance with thespeed of rotation of the generator.

4. A stranding machine for imparting a predetermined amount of twist toone or more individual wires which comprises a rotor carrying aplurality of spools of wire with at least one of said spools supportedfor revolution about an axis extending longitudinally of the wire fedtherefrom, means for driving the rotor, synchronous motor means forcontrolling the revolving of said spool about said axis, and electricalgenerating means driven by said driving means and connected todrive's'aid motor means.

5. A stranding machine for imparting a predetermined amount of twist toone or more individual wires which comprises a rotor carrying aplurality of spools of wire with at least one of said spools supportedfor revolution about an axis extending longitudinally of the rotor,means r for driving the rotor, synchronous motor means :for revolvingsaid spool about said axis, a synchronous generator driven through avariable speed drive by said driving means, and means connecting saidgenerator electrically to said motor means.

6. A stranding machine for imparting a predetermined amount of twist toone or more individual wires which comprises a rotor carrying aplurality of, spools of wire supported by spool carriers for rotationabout axes extending longitudinally of said rotor, means for rotatingsaid rotor, self-synchronous motors mounted in said rotor for rotatingsaid spool carriers about said axes, a synchronous generator forcontrolling rotation of said motors, and variable drive means connectingsaid rotating means to said generator.

7. In a stranding machine having a rotor carrying spools of wire, aclosing die, and means for driving the rotor, mechanism for imparting auniform and controlled amount of twist to the individual wires fed fromsaid spools to said die, said mechanism comprising cradles carrying saidspools and arranged to rotate about axes substantially coincident withthe axis of said rotor,

self-synchronous motors having stationary parts connected to said rotorand rotary parts connected to said cradles, a generator for supplyingcurrent to said motors, and adjustable drive means connecting said rotordriving means to said generator.

8. In a wire stranding machine having a rotary cage, a closing die, aplurality of wire spools supplying individual wires to said die, andmeans for driving said rotary cage, the combination of synchronousmotors for revolving said spools about an axis longitudinal of saidcage, and a synchronous electrical generator separate from said cage forcontrolling the rate of rotation of said motors.

FREDERICK A. FRENCH.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Skelton Feb. 24, 1914Number

